Do just one thing
BOOKSHOP.ORG
If you want to support your local bookstore, or you just like the idea of buying books from independent stores AND the convenience of buying online, the website Bookshop.org is for you. It works just like any online store, except they pool their earnings and distribute the proceeds to independent stores. You can even search to find your local bookstore and shop online to give them 100% of the proceeds. And if you link back to titles for sale on their site, they’ll give you a 10% affiliate fee for sales. What a win-win.
USING EXCESS BUBBLE WRAP
Excess Bubble Wrap from packages or purchases should be saved and reused when you’re shipping items that need a little extra protection. But you can also use Bubble Wrap to help take the chill out of your morning commute. When the temperatures dip below freezing, place a sheet of Bubble Wrap on your car windshield, using the windshield wipers to hold it in place. When placed on your car overnight, it prevents icy frost from forming on the window. When you remove the wrap in the morning, you’ll be good to go.
NO LEAVES WITH TRASH
Among the worst waste offenders in the fall months are homeowners who rake up fallen leaves, bag them and dispose of them with their regular trash. Not only is this illegal in some communities, it’s also unnecessary. Instead, run your lawn mower over the leaves to help chop them up. The smaller the dead leaves, the more quickly they’ll break down and degrade. You can also use raked leaves as mulch; spread them around the base of trees and bushes to help insulate them and prevent weed growth in the spring.
KEEP PANTRY DRY
Even small amounts of excess moisture in the air can cause food spoilage, so it’s imperative to make sure your pantry is as dry as possible. To see if your pantry passes the test, tape a sheet of aluminum foil on the inside of a pantry wall that faces an exterior side of the house. Leave the sheet hanging for a few days, then peel the foil off the wall and quickly examine it; if there is any condensation on the side that faced the pantry wall, there is excess outside moisture. On the other side, it’s excess moisture in the air.
EAT WILD SALMON
Many of us are incorporating salmon into our diets as a high-protein addition to a healthier lifestyle. But not all salmon fillets are the same, since many varieties can contain high levels of chemicals and contaminants. Wild-caught Alaskan salmon have high levels of heart-healthy omega-3s, are low in contaminants and are caught sustainably through tough Alaskan regulations and government monitoring of the fishing industry. Farm salmon, on the other hand, are fish “grown” in tightly packed pools, often fed high amounts of antibiotics to combat diseases. So when choosing your next salmon dish, think wild-caught instead of farm-raised.
PICKING THE RIGHT COLOR
Did you know one of the top reasons household paint is “wasted” is because the color we chose is the wrong shade? It can be hard to choose the perfect shade from a myriad of paint chips, and often when we pick something we like, it appears to be too bright, too dark or just wrong on our walls. To help avoid this financial and material waste, look to other homes and spaces for color inspiration. When you find a wall color you like, you can use a number of apps to immediately color match it on your phone. Then order that exact shade so you have the perfect color in your soon-to-be perfect home.
CHOPSTICKS FOR SCENT
Reed diffusers are an easy way to add natural scent to a room without burning candles or spraying artificial fragrances. But buying new diffusers — the vial of oil, the container and reeds, in addition to all the packaging — can be wasteful and expensive. Use this hack instead: Purchase a bottle of refill oil and use an old glass jar or small vase as the container. Then raid your junk drawer for Chinese food takeout chopsticks. They are made from bamboo and are porous enough to soak up the oil and gently dissipate the fragrance into the air.